High speed Poppy express spotted at Bexhill station

Reader Mike Foster snapped this impressive picture of the Poppy Appeal train as it sped through Bexhill station on Saturday.

Mike commented: “There was no opportunity to admire the train’s many appropriate vinyl decorations.

“However, some grounds for optimism for future Bexhill travellers, as Southeastern has promised to eventually introduce these glamorous Hitachi Javelin trains when the line from Ore to Ashford is electrified.”

The train had earlier visited Hastings as part of a tour of Sussex and Kent to raise funds for the Royal British Legion.

The Class 395 ‘Javelin’ trains normally run between St Pancras International and east Kent via HS1,the new high speed rail line.

The special tour, which took the trains literally far off their beaten track into West Sussex and then back along the East Sussex coast, was organised by Andy Harding, Southeastern’s Cl 395 Fleet Engineering Manager, and Kent Evenden, a High Speed Driver Manager for Southeastern. All of the crew were volunteers, and it was hoped that the special train would raise £25 000 for the Royal British Legion.

The train was met on arrival at Hastings station by the town’s mayor, Cllr Judy Rogers. Cllr Rogers said: “I was very pleased to welcome the train to Hastings, especially as it was supporting such a good cause. The train was packed, and I must pay tribute to Andy Harding and Kent Evenden for organising the trip, and to all of the volunteers who helped ensure it ran smoothly.”

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